Tuesday, September 22, 2009Pearce Shaking Money Tree As Race With Teague Nears, Plus: Lewis Quietly Starts Another Treasurer Race, And: My Bottom Lines For The First Day Of Fall
Steve Pearce
![]() Bringing back Pearce is the R's best bet for taking a congressional seat in NM next year. But it won't be easy. We are already hearing rumblings from some R's that Pearce's torch doesn't burn quite as bright because in 2008 he gave up the southern House seat to make an ill-fated run for US Senate. Pearce this week will also tap into some of that oil money he is so familiar with. Oilman Fred Yates is among those on the host committee for a Pearce fund-raiser in Roswell Saturday night. HEATHER AND STEVE Among those on the host committee for the Sanchez fund-raiser tonight is former ABQ GOP Congresswoman Heather Wilson who waged battle against Pearce for the US senate nomination last year and lost. But Steve was throwing kisses to Heather in a recent Roll Call article. Speaking of her possibly running for the 2010 GOP Guv nod, he opined: It would be nice if we had someone running with a better ID,” he said. “If Heather runs, it definitely runs our chances up the flagpole. I think we’ve got good candidates. The problem is name ID. That’s an expensive problem to solve.” It sure is, but Steve has an equally expensive problem. Raising the millions needed to compete against fellow oil multi-millionaire Teague. He has never liked to spend his own money on a campaign, but this one is different and he told Roll Call the cobwebs could come off his wallet: Pearce said it is his preference not to spend any of his own money on the campaign, but said he would not dismiss the possibility. The pestering of Pearce to spend personal funds will only grow if he falls too far behind Teague who spent $1.5 million of his own money in 2008 and who has nearly $600,000 stockpiled for '10. IT'S A GIRL ![]() Now there is another Turner in the world!! 6 lbs 9 oz baby girl born today at Presbyterian at 4:45! No name yet. Everyone healthy! Whew... That "whew" was prompted in part by the baby's late arrival. The Turners, the parents of a son, had expected the newcomer over a week ago. Needless to say, Doug, 40, reports the campaign trail will be without him for a while. Do you think Allen Weh can be godfather and Susana Martinez godmother?? QUIET, BUT EFFECTIVE Lewis
DI'S LATEST The long march for the governor's chair will officially get underway October 1 and Light Guv Diane Denish is rallying the troops: Last week, we sent an email asking you to volunteer for the upcoming signature collection drive, which will begin on October 1. From that email alone, more than 125 of you signed-up for shifts. Combine that with the volunteers who already committed to work shifts and we're almost there! But there are still a few shifts left to fill--so sign up today to help Diane take that first step towards becoming New Mexico's next Governor... The Denish camp also comments on the ABQ Journal poll released Sunday and putting her job approval rating at 52 percent. They call that rating "strong" and add: We know that polls will go up and down, but Diane has a record that speaks for itself--fighting to create new jobs, strengthening our education system and helping small businesses succeed. The people of New Mexico know Diane, they trust Diane and they believe she's uniquely qualified to lead our state during these difficult times... THE BOTTOM LINES ![]() About our Friday blog featuring a pic of Natassia Weber, granddaughter of former state House Majority Leader Michael Olguin. The former Socorro lawmaker, now a lobbyist, e-mails: What a great surprise to see this beautiful young lady with that great Olguin smile...You just never know where an Olguin will pop-up! By the way, my son, Michael Olguin, Jr., was elected to the Socorro City Council last year at age 27, making him the youngest councilor ever elected to that Council... The Santa Fe New Mexican picks up on the news we broke here Sept. 16th that Lawrence Rael, Dem contender for Light Guv, is featured prominently on 30 second cable TV ads touting Rail Runner safety. The paper reports the ad run is for six weeks and cost the Mid-Region Council of Governments, which Rael heads, about $8,600. There's not much Rael's political foes can do about the ads which are building name ID for Rael. He says they have nothing to do with his candidacy, but are about safety. Right. And this blog is about world travel! This is the home of New Mexico politics. E-mail your news and comments. (c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2009 Not for reproduction without permission of the author |
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